Mark Sanchez Has Bruised Shoulder, Status For Week 1 Questionable

Aug 26, 2013 2:38 PM EST

Share

this page

As has come to be sort of tradition, August is surrounded with NFL banter regarding the dysfunctional nature of the New York Jets. Going into this season, it’s been no exception. A highly publicized quarterback competition has been debated for months between rookie Geno Smith, whom the Jets spent their second-round pick on in last April’s draft, and the falling-out-of-favor, party boy, Mark Sanchez.

Despite throwing three picks, in addition to an embarrassing safety out of the end zone on Saturday, Geno Smith might be given the starting job for Week 1 due to Sanchez’s injured shoulder. Head coach Rex Ryan reiterated on Monday that the team would not rush the decision regarding its starting quarterback and “had said from day one that there was no timetable on us announcing a starting quarterback.”

While the team remains cryptic in its motives. The Jets do appear willing to deal with Geno Smith’s growing pains as starting quarterback, especially if Sanchez is unable to go. Jets have been giving Smith every opportunity to overtake the starting role, allowing him first team reps while also not commenting at great length on the situation between Smith and Sanchez.

Sanchez, who the Jets were high on in 2009, trading up to get him with the fifth overall pick, even had his doubters back then. Former USC Trojans Coach Pete Carroll believed when he was drafted, that Sanchez wasn’t ready for the NFL.